Advice & Tips:
I was taking a 300mg dose of this medication and slowly tapered off of it over a course of six weeks. Everything was fine during the taper, it was just getting off that final dose (75mg) that was hard. I felt like I had the flu: shivering, nausea, loss of appetite.

Cost:
< $25 monthly

Feb 18, 2011

Perceived effectiveness for Depressed mood:
Major

Side Effects:
None

Adherence:
Always

Burden:
Not at all

Dosage:
150 mg
Daily

Cost:
< $25 monthly

Nov 7, 2009

Perceived effectiveness for Depressed mood:
Major

Side Effects:
None

Adherence:
Always

Burden:
Not at all

Dosage:
37.5 mg
Daily

Advice & Tips:
This has been an excellent medication for me as long as I take it every day as prescribed.

Cost:
< $25 monthly

Mar 25, 2009

Perceived effectiveness for Depressed mood:
Major

Side Effects:
None

Adherence:
Always

Burden:
Not at all

Dosage:
37.5 mg
Daily

Advice & Tips:
Take this medication at the same time everyday and do not skip more than one day of taking it or else you will begin to feel horrible withdrawal symptoms. But I have Effexor XR to be extremely effective in treating my depression. I would caution anyone that considers taking this drug for a long period of time to be aware that it can be very difficult to get off of. You will need to titrate down your dose in very small increments under your doctor's supervision.

Dec 10, 2008

Perceived effectiveness for Depressed mood:
Major

Side Effects:
None

Adherence:
Always

Burden:
Not at all

Dosage:
37.5 mg
Daily

Advice & Tips:
As best you can, take this medication at the same time every day. For a long time I was taking only 150mg a day and didn't feel any benefits from the medication. However, when my psychiatrist increased my dose to 300mg a day, I could detect a significant improvement in mood. This is a relatively high dose for this medication and it can cause an increase in blood pressure. Fortunately this has not been an issue for me but might be something for others to take into consideration.
Also, I take the XR-capsules and I can tell a difference between the XR and non-XR.

Cost:
$200+ monthly

About Effexor XR
(Prescription Drug)

Effexor® XR is a brand name for the extended release formulation of venlaflaxine, a Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant used to treat major depressive, generalized anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorders.
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